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/ Pastoral Development Newsletter
In this issue
- A chara,
- Newsletter resources: Questions people ask
- Resource: Children's Drama about St Patrick
- Resources as Gaeilge
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Wednesday 12 March
// A chara,
Less haste, more speed.
I only noticed today that the resources for St Patricks Day had been deleted from the newsletter that went out this morning. Here they are.
God bless
Noirin /
/ Newsletter resources: Questions people ask
Who was St Patrick?
Saint Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of the island along with Saints Brigid and Columba. Two authentic letters from him survive, from which come the only generally-accepted details of his life. When he was about 16, he was captured from his home and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he returned to northern and western Ireland as an ordained bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.
Why is St Patrick associated with snakes?
Legends suggest that Saint Patrick drove out snakes from Ireland, although scientificevidence suggests that snakes did not exist in post-glacial Ireland. Some scholars believe thatthe "snakes" that Saint Patrick drove out are a metaphor for the serpent symbolism of Druidswho inhabited Ireland during Patrick's time, or even heretical beliefs, e.g. Pelagianism. SaintPatrick probably did have a role in driving out Druid and Pelagian influence in Ireland.
Was St Patrick the first Irish Bishop?
No, Palladius was sent by Pope Celestine around 431 to Ireland, ‘to the Irish believers inChrist’. He is considered a saint by both the Anglican and Catholic church. Patrick workedmore in the west and north of the country, principally with those who weren’t alreadyChristian, and Patricks legacy is the one which endured. Patrick is well known because of thewritings he left – they help us to feel connected with him and his faith.
Is St Patrick a Patron Saint in other countries?
Yes. In fact, Saint Patrick is a very popular patron saint. He is the patron saint of variousdioceses and archdioceses, including Adelaide (Australia), Armagh (Ireland), Auckland (New
Zealand), Ballarat (Australia), Boston (USA), Burlington (Vermont, USA), Cape Town(South Africa), Dromore (Ireland), Erie (Pennsylvania, USA), Fort Worth (Texas, USA),Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, USA), Kilmore (Ireland), Melbourne (Australia), Mymensingh(Bangladesh), New York (USA), Poona (India), and Sacramento (California, USA). He isalso the patron of the countries of Ireland and Nigeria. He is the patron of engineers, excludedpersons, and ophidiophobics (those who fear snakes). He is the patron saint against snakes,fear of snakes, and snake bites.
What is St Patricks Purgatory?
Since the 12th century, Saint Patrick's Purgatory has been a place of pilgrimage on StationIsland, Lough Derg, Co. Donegal, in Ireland. This is where Christ is said to have revealed to Saint Patrick the entrance to purgatory and the earthly paradise. The earliest recorded visit toSaint Patrick's Purgatory is by an Irish knight named Owein around AD 1146. Saint Patrick's
Purgatory became a popular pilgrimage site for knightly pilgrims from different countries inthe 14th and 15th centuries. Pilgrims still visit the Island, which now has a modern basilica.
As part of our Celtic heritage and renowned throughout Europe since the Middle Ages,Lough Derg is a unique place of peace. In today's modern world - where everything is fastand instant - Lough Derg still manages to maintain a pace where people have to move moreslowly, where the mind can be stilled. This small island offers no distractions, noartificialities, but instead a warm welcome, for there are no strangers here. If you are seeking
an opportunity for calm, for renewal or growth, then this ancient Sanctuary of St. Patrickmight well be the place. Everyone is welcome to become part of what has been an Irishtradition since the sixth century.Given that it has survived for over a thousand years, that itcontinues to attract pilgrims and give them hope, there is nothing to suggest that it will not be
here in another thousand years.
For more information about visiting Saint Patrick's Purgatory, visit the Lough Derg websiteat /
/ Resource: Children's Drama about St Patrick
SeomraRanga is a website offering resources for classroom use. This drama with four narrators tells the story of St Patricks life in simple understandable terms.
Le Cheile Trust also offers resources for schools - A St Patricks Day service is here: /
/ Resources as Gaeilge
St Patrick's Day, Monday 17 March 2014
Resources in Irish are available from the National Liturgy Office.
NaomhPádraig - An Aifrinn
TeascannanuaónLeabharAifrinn - choiganseo/click here
Liotúirge an Bhriathar - handout with readings as Gaeilge, click here /
Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre. St. Michael’s Courtyard, Denmark St, Limerick
Tel:+353 61400133.
Diocese of Limerick – Safeguarding Children Information
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk in relation to a child safeguarding concern or you wish to raise a matter from the past you are welcome to contact any of the following: An Gardaí Síochána, Henry St. 061-212400 HSE West 061-482792 Diocese of Limerick 087-3233564. For information on the Diocese of Limerick Safeguarding and Child Protection Service, please click HERE
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